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Dear Rue,

Thank you again for the jacket! It's so nice. I've never gotten clothes this nice before. I promise I'll always treasure it! I think it fits just fine, though I wouldn't know how it's supposed to look. Still, I don't think you should change anything about it, it's perfect.

It's a little strange being around trees at all, nevermind living in one. They didn't exist anymore in my world, but here they're so huge it's like they're from another planet. I'm not worried about falling so much, since I usually have my gear with me. My glove has a grappling hook, so I should just be able to catch myself. If not, I can probably roll and land safely enough that I wouldn't die or anything, so don't worry.

I don't think it's vain to say you're soft and beautiful. It's just the truth. My sensei used to talk himself up all the time (how he was big and strong and handsome) and some people said he was full of himself, but to me it just sounded like confidence. Life is hard enough already, there's no reason to be hard on yourself too. I think he'd tell you something like that if he were here. I'm sorry that other people couldn't see that before. But I'm glad you have lots of people around you now who can tell you you're beautiful!

Actually, I have met an owl person before, now that I think back. When I was little, Big Mama visited our base (she's a huge spider yokai, i don't know if that's her real name) and she had guards with her. One of them was a huge owl yokai. I think his beak was as big as my head! I don't think he ever so much as looked at me, but I hid in sensei's scarf until they left. He didn't have a kind face like yours.

I'd be happy to go to the cat cafe with you. It's not too far at all. And even if it was, it would be worth it! Call me biased, but I love cats now. I vote we go there next. I bet they'd love to sit on all your soft feathers.

You be careful of the fog too! I'm gonna wear my mask every time I go out…

Also your friend forever!
-Casey

[The whole bottom of the page is covered in hearts of varying colours and a variety of little emote faces. Mikey would be proud. …But mostly he's just practicing with the new pens.]

Casey,

Whether you think it's perfect or not, I'll measure it next time I see you. I want to make sure there is enough room in the shoulders for you to continue to grow, while still not being a hassle by slipping off of you too easily. I promise, if I do any alteration on it, you may watch, to make certain I change nothing else.

And please, if there's any other clothing or tailoring you need, you simply must tell me. As your friend, I want to help where I can, to make your life in this land as easy as possible.

Thank you, I am much relieved to know you shall be safe up there among the trees. Though I may beg that any meetings we have are here, safely on the ground. I do not think my reflexes will save me as easily as yours will save you. What grace I have been blessed with only applies to the solid ground beneath my taloned feet. I am certain I shall become quite the clumsy oaf if ever I followed you up into the trees.

Your sensei is just as intelligent as I am certain he's told himself. I'm grateful you had someone like that to learn from. He sounds like a lovely man and a wonderful mentor.

Have you truly? How marvelous! I have yet to meet another owlbear myself, but I have indeed met another owl person. They were a dear friend to me and I shall never forget how seeing her wings struck me with such a sense of awe the first time. To think it took so much of my life to meet another physically similar to myself, even if not exactly the same.

It may be foolish, but I hope to meet another owlbear some day. I know they are beasts, that most are aggressive and wild and will not recognize me as their own, but it is a dream I have had since I was a cub. Just one and I will be satisfied.

(I am deeply touched that you think my face is kind. If I may speak plainly, I think yours is quite kind as well. Your eyes especially.)

It is settled. The cat café shall be our next new adventure together. I look forward to meeting all of the cats with you.

On another note, I have been taking daily trips to the market and my pantry is simply overflowing. You must come over and take some of this food. I will pack it up nicely for easy transport, but I will hear no argument.

See you shortly,
Rue ♥

Dear Rue,

Instead of making you work while we're out and about, next time I come over, you can measure if you want. There's no rush. I did want to ask you, though, do you have any suggestions about what kind of clothes I should wear? We didn't really have fashion back home, so I don't know anything about it. I've just been buying whatever looks comfortable. I guess it's never mattered too much to me, since we just took what we could get, but it would be silly if I had a pro right here and I didn't ask for ideas. Especially when you seem to love it as much as you do. (You've done enough though, so if it's too much work on top of whatever commissions you've got, don't worry about it!)

The treehouses are okay, but I don't think I'll live here. I want to live somewhere that my friends can visit. Not sure if I'll try the apartments next or somewhere else. Should I go to Gram? We could be neighbours for a bit. :)

As for sensei, I'm sure he'd like to hear you say that himself. You should tell him, since you all know each other. What a surprise that was! The world is bigger and smaller than I thought it would be at the same time. Or should I say universe, since we come from all different worlds? I don't know how it works.

I hope you do get to meet another owlbear someday. And who knows, maybe they'll be nicer than you think. Even if they're wild, though, that's not so bad. There's good and bad versions of all kinds in the world, even humans. Especially humans, sometimes.

So, you gave me so much food along with everyone else who's been helping me that now my pantry's the one overflowing. Thank you! I'm really well taken care of. I can't cook or do much else yet, but I wanted to send you something back, so I took a couple of extra days to press some leaves and blooms from the taller trees around here, since you can't climb up high. I hope they look okay. And don't worry, they were about to fall, so I didn't pull them off. I've never seen the seasons change before, but I asked around and it sounds like autumn might be starting soon.

<3
-Casey

[Included is an extra package with a cardstock page covered in multicoloured leaves and pressed flowers, arranged in a manner that is not half bad, albeit rather basic, conveying an air of "first-try". Casey never got to experience the normal arts and crafts of childhood, so let's just say he's testing the waters. They're lucky he's not sending macaroni art.]

[Casey hardly has to ask. This petter is quite a bit thicker than previous, because within it, Rue has attached multiple pages of designs for Casey, basic little sketches of himself (very rudimentary) in all sorts of different styles of clothing (much more detailed). There is some Athleisure, some casual, and some cozy. In all, there's about a dozen different selections for him to browse through.]

My dear friend,

I have attached some sketches that came to me over the last day of what I think would look lovely on you. Please let me know if any catch your eye and I'll be happy to bring them to life. (Though I may make you the oversized sweater regardless, as it is both darling and very practical for the colder weather.)

And please you must take my most sincere, ardent thanks for this beautiful gift! The next time you do visit, you shall see that it is hanging in my window. What a beautiful spray of flowers and greenery. Perhaps the next time you feel like crafting another, we can try together. It could be quite a great deal fun!

Oh, you simply must let me know if you decide to give Gram a try, though I warn you, it shall be very hard to leave if I am visiting you daily! Can you imagine, being able to take tea together and chat every single day while tending to our gardens? I can hardly imagine anything so lovely as that!

Pray, you must forgive me, as we have spoken of your Sensei in past tense, I hardly realized that he was here among us as well. May I inquire as to who he is? Someone that I already know? I can hardly guess as to who that would be, it certainly can not be my new friend Fenris. None of how you have described them matches him in the slightest.

I will close this letter with another word of thanks. Thank you, Casey, for being my friend and being so open to trying all of these new experiences. I find your bravery refreshing, how willing you are to open yourself and try new things. Sometimes that can be quite terrifying, but I have never once seen you why away from the unknown. I am so grateful to know you.

Your friend always, through thick and thin,
Rue ♥

[This letter is accompanied by many of the sketches returned to them with a number in the corner of each. It seems he's ranked them in order of favour. He shows that he's particularly fond of althleisure and cozy, and items with either simple flat colours or repeating patterns. Without cutting into the drawings themselves, there are a few arrows pointing towards some of the features he likes. More rarely, there might be a comment of if a particular article or part would be hard to move in. He's still got the mentality of function over fashion, sorry Rue.]

Dear Rue,

I don't know how to respond to these sketches without looking greedy! I love all of them. I marked down my favourites, so maybe you could pick a few that you like most, or would be fun for you to make? I took copies and am going to use them for reference when I shop for clothes. This is really going to help a ton, thank you! You went above and beyond anything I could imagine. Please take your time, you must have a lot of work to do already.

Next time I visit I'll definitely bring more flowers and pressed plants. There's a lot of them in the forest, way too many to count. I'm not sure where I'll put them all. Someone suggested I make a book, so I might do that. I can't get over how colourful everything is. This place is beautiful. No wonder people like nature so much.

Tea with you all the time does sound really nice, actually. That would be a big point in Gram's favour. I still have some time in the treehouse, but I'll probably scout out some of the cottages next week. I'll let you know as soon as I'm there. Maybe you can show me around :)

Sorry for the confusion! I thought he might have told you already. Sensei is Master Leonardo. I'm from the future in his world, or I guess an alternate timeline now. Where I came from aliens called the Krang destroyed the world, so I was sent back in time so they could be stopped. And they were! Leo and everyone saved the world, so now there's a different future. It's just a habit to call him sensei still, because I always have, but I don't think he minds. At least, he hasn't told me he does. Is that weird?

Actually that's a silly question. Everything about what I just said is weird… but sensei is Leo, just a future version. (I don't know anyone named Fenris.)

Rue, you don't have to thank me for being your friend. I'm happy to do it, and it means I get to have you as a friend, too. But if you insist, then thank you for being my friend too! It's a lot easier to be brave when I have someone like you encouraging me to try. I've never seen anybody support the people they care about the way you do. If you ever need someone to stand with you and help you feel brave, don't hesitate. I know we'll all come running.

Thank you thank you thank you!
-Casey

My dearest,

You must forgive me the strange order of this letter, but I simply could not wait to address this particular topic with you. My darling Leo is the Sensei you have spoken so fondly of? And you are from a future point from beyond where he is from? I believe I understand. Well! I should think after this story you've lived through that desiring to call Leo your Sensei is hardly the weirdest part of it! I imagine you are just fine. He would say otherwise, if such a thing bothered him in the slightest.

I am not at all surprised with the descriptions you have given me to imagine that man as Leo, nor the idea that he and his brothers have saved the world before, but I can not begin to conceive how strange a situation it is for you, darling. I can only hope it is not too difficult to navigate. The boys do adore you so much, even with these strange time shenanigans in play.

Well! Let me try to get back to the rest of the letter now.

There is nothing at all greedy about wanting to present well and dress in the style you are most comfortable in. As someone who went without for dozens of years, I can promise you that such a thing should simply be a human right. But I must say I am most delighted that you enjoyed any of my designs! I will get to work bringing a few to life for you posthaste.

A scrapbook of dried flowers perhaps? That could be quite beautiful. I prefer them living, certainly, but I've pressed many a flower in my day. It is a simple enough process with wondrous results. If you decide you should like to start such a hobby, I only ask that you bring your book by on occasion, so that I may see the results.

You hardly even need to ask. I would be more than happy to give you the full tour. I think my faerie friends at the market would be delighted to meet you.

Your words honor me, Casey, and I am grateful to know that neither you nor I must face this new world alone, even if there are those we wish were here experiencing this all with us. So, instead of thanking you again for your friendship, I shall simply say that I am very happy to know you.

Be well my friend,
Rue ♥

[This letter arrives from a new address- a not-too-distant cottage in Gram, of course.]

Dear Rue,

I won't lie, it's been ha ~~pai~~ challenging. They're so kind and fun to be around, and they've taught me so much about what life should be like. They're the same people deep down, but they're missing so many memories. To me, they've always been there, as far back as I can remember, but to them we only met a month or so ago. It's like my whole family forgot who I am. Or more like, they're my family, but I'm not theirs. If that makes any sense.

Peter told me something similar, that they like me and all, and I hope that's true. I think it is. I want them to like me. I'd be too scared otherwise, I don't want to lose them again. But I worry sometimes I must seem like this weird kid they just met who knows them better than I should. Sometimes… it's hard to be around them. There's so many things I want to say to them, but none of it would make any sense. I don't want to bother them by acting like we're closer than we are, or to make them feel pressure to be something they're not. I said some things to ~~sensei~~ Leo that I probably shouldn't have when I first met him. He wasn't what I expected, and that's not fair to him. I want to do better. I'll try harder to make new memories instead.

[There's a gap here, and a shift in pen colour. A pause in the letter.]

That was a lot, now that I look up. I'm sorry to drop all of that on you. Should I have just started over? I couldn't lie to you, though. Please don't tell them I said all that, unless you feel like you have to. I can't imagine how it'd make them feel. I think it helped to write it down though, so… thank you.

Sorry this letter is kind of a bummer. Better news: I went ahead and found a book I think will work for the flowers. I haven't gathered too many yet, but it's a start. I might have to wait for a while, though- if fall is coming like people say, there won't be many flowers or leaves left. I'll save what I can and wait until spring. (Flowers come back in spring, right? I sort of remember hearing that.) The idea of normal seasons is so weird to me, but I'm excited to see what comes. Do you have a favourite season?

I didn't know you had faerie friends! I'd love to meet them. I've never met a faerie before. What are they like? Anything I should know? You probably noticed, but I'm in Gram now. It's really nice and peaceful here, I can see why you like it.

I'm happy to know you too, Rue. I'm really glad I got to meet you. I feel safe with you. I guess that's why I'm saying too much. Promise you'll tell me if I overshare?

❤️
Casey

My friend,

You never need worry about dropping a thing upon me. That is simply what friends are for, to help carry the burdens we all have, so that not a single one of us must face it completely alone. It is the same as you would do for me, as any of the turtles would do for you or I, and vice-versa. You can trust me with your feelings, Casey. I promise that that trust will never be misplaced.

Oh, I can not wait to see your flower book! With all of the lovely greenery in Gram, I doubt it will take you very long to fill it. As far as the flowers go, I suppose that most are meant to live only during the warmer months, but mine may just be touched with magic enough to keep them alive year round. And you are always welcome to them, naturally.

How on brand for me to say Spring, but I just love the way that nature recovers from the harshness of Winter, how it softens the land and brings forth such beautiful new blooms. It is a time of replenishment, of rebirth, it is the triumph of making it through the most difficult time of the year and thriving. There is a love and warmth and the beauty of new life in Spring, but I have also thought of it as courageous in a sense, a time to rest and recover after the fight through Winter, to emerge alive on the other side of the new year and find nothing but endless possibilities awaiting you.

But I digress, what do you think your favorite season shall be? If you are quite uncertain, I'm sure we shall discover that together, as they begin to change.

And Casey! I thought you must know, but you very much have met a faerie before: me. Had I not mentioned my association with the fey before this? You must forgive me, dear. I know that my shape suggests something wilder, but even if I was not born a fey, I am fey by the magic that brought me to sapience. The blood that runs through me is faerie, not owlbear, as I have been remade in the fey magic's acceptance. But! Having said that, of course I shall be happy to introduce you to my friends. We just may need to speak more on that specifically beforehand. There is much to know before speaking to a faerie.

You shall never make me uncomfortable with oversharing, but I promise you, if I feel such a way, I will let you know. Until that very moment, you must tell me anything that you like. You are my friend and I enjoy hearing from you, all the good and all the bad. Do not feel as if you need to shield a thing from me.

I find myself in anticipation of Autumn as it sweeps in closer to us.

Your friend forever,
Rue ♥

Edited 2023-09-12 04:59 (UTC)

Dear Rue,

I could fill this whole page with thank yous over and over and it still wouldn't feel like enough. Instead of wasting this nice paper I'll just say it once: thank you for always helping me. If I can grow up to be even half as supportive to people I care about as you are, I'd be happy. And of course I'd come running if you ever needed my support now.

I'm not sure what season I'll like best. There's things I'm interested about in each of them, and stuff I know I won't like. Probably the one I'm most curious about is winter. I want to see what snow is like, to do everything you can do with it like skating or sledding or snowball fights. I want to know what a "snow day" means! But I don't know if I'll like the cold. It was cold plenty of times back home and it just made everything harder. Maybe it feels different if you have a nice house to warm up in after. Oh, and hot chocolate! I've had it now, but I hear it feels different when you have it during a snow day. So I want to try that.

About the faerie stuff, I guess I just don't know enough about it to tell the difference! I don't know much about fey or faerie, are they the same? Or can you be fey and also faerie? And are there also fairies, or is that the same, just spelled different? I don't think my world had any of those, except in old stories. Even most of those were lost in my time. We had yokai and mutants and witches, mostly. Anyway, I won't forget that! Faerie and fey, got it. And now I know how to make flower crowns, so I can share and talk with more faeries in Gram. :) I hope they like me.

The trees are turning interesting colours. That means autumn's really coming, right? I might make a whole other book just for keeping leaves. I'm going to end up keeping so much stuff now that I have the space for it. I'd better pick where to live before I get too serious with all of that, though. That part's harder than I thought it would be.

Love,
Casey

My most dearest friend,

My greatest apologies on the delay of this correspondence! As you well know, things have been busy for us as of late, and it has only been a day or so since I've seen you in person, but still, I enjoy our letters too, enough that I'd love to continue them long after our writing practice has concluded.

There is nothing quite like a day out in the cold and then coming in to thick blankets and a warm drink. We shall have to plan for that once winter arrives. I can easily see that as something we invite the turtles and Peter too along with us, an afternoon playing in the snow with them sounds like quite the event. I imagine even I would be shaking snow from my feathers after that. Either way, I look forward to spending the next seasons with you as you experience them for the first time.

It is hardly your fault. I clearly have done an atrocious job at explaining. Yes, for the most part, such words are interchangeable, though I suppose that fey encompasses those within the Feywild who are not true faeries, as well as those associated with our magic from the Material Plane. It is rather complicated, isn't it? Having lived within it, I'd hardly realized how much it was to explain. But for the ease of conversation, I am both, though not by blood, only by magic.

As for the faeries in Gram, I'm certain they will adore you just as I have, but I will make proper introductions once I have coached you in the way of faeries. I like them dearly, of course, but most fey are tricksters by nature and will do anything to bind a human to their service. I do not sense such motive when I have spoken to them in the past, but that was between their own kind. I fear they may be very eager to strike an unfair deal with you. So, coaching first, then we shall make new friends.

If you need someone to listen through your pros and cons of each housing sector, I would be happy to hear your thoughts on all of them. You deserve a home where you will feel safe, that you can make into your own, and I fully support you no matter what you choose. Let it be known that I will make the trip however far just to come and enjoy your lovely company.

Chase your happiness always,
Rue ♥

Dear Rue,

You don't have to apologize, I didn't even get this letter until today. I was staying in the Tides a lot, instead of going back and forth. It's hard for me to go in the submarine, but I can't swim well enough to do the nymph thing. But I wanted to explore the city! Even after this long I still feel like I've barely seen any of it. It's so pretty and lively. It's too far away for me to actually do it, but I keep thinking, what an amazing place it would be to live.

A day out in the snow with everyone sounds really amazing. If we do that, we have to ask them to sing the snow day song. Sensei and Commander O'Neil used to sing the bits they remembered in December around the base sometimes, and I've always wanted to hear the whole thing.

You didn't do anything wrong with explaining! I should have asked more questions, but I didn't want to grill you on what you are. That felt kind of rude when we hadn't known each other very long yet. I think I understand the fey a little better now. Though you have me kind of worried! I'll try to be careful not to get tricked by any faeries... hopefully I don't trip up trying to make friends. But if you're both fey and faerie, does that mean you're secretly a trickster too? :)

Thank you for the offer to help me pick my home, and for all your encouragement. It means a lot to know you'll still visit me. And I'll visit you! I think I do want to pick a place that's close enough to everyone that visiting won't be too hard, though. I want to be around in case anyone needs me, if it's for a fight or just emergency blanket forts or something. It's always important to be on call for whatever's needed. At least that's how I grew up.

Always your friend,
Casey

My lovely Casey,

Tides was quite the overwhelmingly wonderful experience, wasn't it? But I hope that you know that the distance would never stop any of the boys or myself from coming to visit if that is where you'd like to stay. In the end, we only want you where you would feel happiest, the place that would end up making you the best home.

Speaking of, it has been some time now, hasn't it? Have you come any closer to picking where you should like to settle down? There's never any rush, of course, but I do admit I'm already quite excited about the prospect of throwing a housewarming party in your new space.

The snow day song? You have made me curious! I should like to hear them sing it as well, I imagine it's both lovely and rather silly, knowing them. Either way, it would become just another memory the two of us could treasure with them.

As for the inquiry as to whether or not I am secretly a trickster, I refuse to comment. :)

Your dearest and perhaps sneakiest friend,
Rue ♥

Dear Rue,

I'm not really worried about the distance for you. Leo can portal anyone anywhere, and I'm sure you'd visit. It would be a problem for me, I don't feel safe in the sub. And I want to live closer! I'd just rather get around on the Cat Bus. Also, I tried out the Tides houses. They're very pretty, but kind of scary to be in for very long. The ocean is way too close through the glass when you can't breathe underwater. I think I'd go crazy if I tried to live there! It's cool to stay for a little bit, though.

I think I'm getting closer to choosing. I'm going to try living in Satori Hills next, to see if I like the apartments, and then I'll choose. Maybe if I set a deadline for myself... how about, by the end of October, I'll find a home :) That sounds nice. I think a part of me is worried I'll end up choosing wrong, but since I've moved around so much already, it's not that hard to pick up and live somewhere else. As long as I decide for sure before I get too settled. I don't have that much stuff to move right now, but if I really started decorating, I'd have more than a box or two.

You not answering the question just makes me suspicious, you know! Not that I mind either way. Our whole family can be tricksters, they used to always pull pranks and tell jokes. There's no reason why you can't be one, too.

Speaking of faerie, do you know how to make pie? I met a new friend recently, and he talked about liking something called faerie pie. Made with faeries! I was worried at first, but in his world, faeries are what they call bugs, not people. So I guess it's bug pie? Anyway, I said I would ask if you knew a kind of pie that a faerie might eat. Maybe it'd be a good replacement. (Don't worry, I told him not to eat the faeries here.)

Your less sneaky friend,
Casey

My darling friend,

I can not believe that over a week has passed since I sat down to write you back. Forgive me, Casey. I have had a great deal on my mind and it has left me in quite the sullen mood. That is hardly an excuse, I know, but I hope that you know how incredibly sorry I am. I will do what I can to communicate better in the future. And please know how grateful I am for your continued friendship and patience with me.

Anyways, the end of October sounds like a perfect date to come to your decision. That will be plenty of time to settle into a home before the holiday season and any potential snowfall we might have. As fun as the snow may be to play in, it is hardly the best type of weather when it comes to moving and I should hate to see you struggle through it while adjusting. Perhaps it is presumptuous, but I am already writing in my calender for a date to throw a small party in honor of your new home.

(Do not stress, I shall keep the invite list between us and our dearest friends.)

Regarding pies, the faerie variety and otherwise, I do not, but I believe I have a recipe book that outlines the process rather clearly. Is that something you might be interested in trying out together soon? I admit, I pale a little at the thought of your new friend eating faeries of any variety, but considering my close relatives eat humans, I suppose I do not have much room to speak! Though I appreciate you warning him off of the Willow faeries. Truth be told, I would be more worried for his sake over theirs if he tried!

Have you heard much about the upcoming holiday at the end of the month? It is not one I am familiar with, but costumes and candy are heavily involved. It makes me quite curious and I wonder if there shall be another party. Or if I should throw one myself.

Pray, I hope you are well, Casey. Know that even when we do not speak, you are in my thoughts and heart.

Your friend always,
Rue ♥

Dear Rue,

100% forgiven <3

I didn't even think about snow being a factor. Is it that hard to move in? All I know about it is that it's cold and wet. Probably a good thing I still don't have that much to move, but it's still a lot more than what I started out with! Especially with my closet starting to fill up thanks to a certain someone's great recommendations. It is getting kind of tiring. Maybe I'll end up picking Satori Hills because I don't feel like moving it all again.

A party would be nice. Would you help me if it was at my new place? I want to learn how to host properly. I never had to think about it back home but it seems like a really important skill to learn. And you're always so good at it. I'd definitely forget something.

You don't have to put yourself out learning pie with me if you don't want to, but if you DO then yeah I'd be happy to learn it together :) Maybe that can be our one new thing for the day. It's not urgent or anything, I just thought of it and wondered if it was doable, since, well. He's kind of like me? Okay, he's a lot like me. A lot of experiences that most people would normally have tried are new for him, too. I want to help him, the same way everyone's been helping me this whole time. (I'm sure he'd say he could handle the faeries, though. Unlike me he actually has magic, so it's better if they don't fight.)

The holiday is… Halloween, right? I've heard a little bit about it, but not much. Costumes and candy were kind of off the table back home. If it isn't celebrated here, a party could be cool! If you feel like it, of course. It wouldn't be fair to ask you to do too much work. But if you needed help, there's lots of us around who'd step up. What kind of costume would you make?

I was thinking of you too. I'm glad you're okay. If you ever need anything, please don't think twice about asking. I'll be there in a flash! (not as flashy as sensei's portals, but you know.)

Love,
Casey

[This letter comes a little late, but it comes attached with a box of sugar cookies. The cookies are little cookie cutouts of turtles and humans, all cartoonishly decorated as his family members. The piping isn't perfect, but it just goes to show they did not simply magic them together.]

My loveliest friend,

I know it has been said many times since my last letter, but again, thank you for your assistance, in both my particular plight and for how swiftly you managed to lighten my foul mood. Your kindness and swiftness dispatched of my molt and my mood in record time. Please enjoy the attached cookies. I am newly practiced in true decorating, so I hope the likenesses come through.

As for snow, it truly depends on the depth of it. Once it reaches a certain height, it can be incredibly strenuous to wade through. Not to mention the threat of slipping and sliding around. No, I think having yourself settled before any big snow storms would be for the best. I have not yet asked around about how winters normally go here, but it is better safe than sorry. Settling in early November should be perfect.

Of course I would help you with arranging your housewarming party. Do you think I would leave you alone to handle such an event all on your own? I daresay, I would never!

Oh Casey, I would not offer if I was not absolutely interested. I promise you. In fact, I feel that learning together would end up being beneficial to the both of us. My kitchen skills have already improved significantly since my very first attempt at cooking last year, but there is still very much that I do not know or have practice in. Back in Gloucester, it was very simple to go to the cafeteria or to order in every night, but there is not much in the way of dining out in Willow, so I am forcing myself to learn. It does not always end perfectly, but I do not feel as pressured for things to be as perfect as I once would have.

How nice that you have made a new friend. :) I am very proud of you, dear. You are, as always, a gentle, generous, sweet boy. I'm certain your new friend is very lucky to have you in his life, to have someone with similar experiences and knowledge of his predicament. Please, if either of you need a thing on this journey together, you need only ask.

Truth be told, I had not considered a costume for myself. I was so much more focused on the party itself, but that is a very fair question to ask. I will have to do more research.

Would you like to stay over again sometime soon? I very much enjoyed watching television with you until neither of us could keep our eyes open. I do not wish you keep you from home, but I would love to do it again.

Wishing you a beautiful day,
Rue ♥

[In contrast, Casey's response comes faster than normal, though the letter is shorter as well. Included is a torn sheet from his notebook with his housing pros and cons list, with sections of it scribbled out, and Satori Hills circled a few times in red:

Burrows:
+ most like home
+ secure, 1 entrance only
+ nice neighbourhood, close to Satori
+ cool in summer
+ good for gardening
- TOO much like home? not trying new things
- don't really know anyone here

Treehouses:
+ trees are pretty
+ good for grappling
- Rue can't visit :(
- what if I fall out??
- doesn't always feel sturdy
- neighbours don't like palladium drones

Gram:
+ nice houses!
+ Rue lives here
+ food is amazing
- sometimes don't feel like making flower crowns
- far from everything

Satori Hills:
+ everyone else lives here
+ don't take up much space
+ really good for grappling
+ already furnished
+ Hunter is here now
+ sensei says he can visit more :)
+ / - less space to decorate
- ~~too close, might be a bother to fam~~
- kind of loud, can hear other floors
- lots of people around, is it safe?]

Dear Rue,

Thank you for the cookies! They were really good and super cute. I'm going to find a recipe and send something back in the box once we eat them all. Brace yourself! (I'm still learning, too.)

So, here's a weird update I didn't expect: I have a roommate now. Hunter needed a place to stay, and I had an extra room, so it just kind of ended up that way. (You met him in ADI, right? A different version? He said he met you here. He's the new friend I mentioned.) It's been about a week, and we're still figuring it out, but now that he's here I kind of don't want to move anymore. We talked about decorating and it just felt nice to make it our own. I've been thinking about it, and maybe it wasn't that I didn't like any of the houses before. Maybe I just hated living alone and didn't notice the real problem until it stopped being a problem. Does that make sense? Anyways, unless Hunter says he wants his own place, I think I'll stay in Satori Hills. Besides you, it IS nice to be near everyone.

I'm not sure if he'd be comfortable having a housewarming party too early, since he's still getting used to everything. But I'll ask him. He could use more friends, and he seems to get along okay with Leo. I'm warming him up to the idea of hanging out with Peter too. And Donnie and Raph and you of course, but that'll be a lot easier for him. And thank you for everything you said... I'll try to live up to your pride and all that praise. I really want to be a good friend.

I'd love to come over again! Maybe this weekend? We can try to bake a pie and then watch whatever you want all night. Do you think there are any shows or movies about Halloween? So we can both research it :)

Love,
Casey

Dear Casey,

That is a very nice update and well before your self-appointed due date. How lovely to have made a new friend and a roommate all in one. I'm certain you will be very happy being so close by to everyone else. The convenience alone makes it a perfect choice and I know that if it already feels like a home to you now, that feeling will only grow the more you make it your own. As always, you only need to ask if you require anything, though I'm happy to hear the two of you are doing so well on your own already.

And certainly. I do get ahead of myself at times, you must forgive me. You need not think anymore of it. If a party would be too much for Hunter, then we must respect his comfort level above all else as it is his space too. Perhaps in the future at the some point, but truly, there is no need to stress over it. It was simply a thought that I had, of course. There are always plenty more parties to look forward to in the future.

Do not fret, Casey. I already know you will be a wonderful friend to him.

As to your earlier question, yes, I did know another Hunter previously, though he was quite different. Either way, I look forward to learning more about this Hunter, especially since he has become a dear friend to you.

I will let you decide when would work best for you. I certainly know the chaos of settling into a home and making it your own, so I do not wish to impose when I have already asked so much of all of you. I do not know for certain if there are Halloween-themed movies and shows, but I will do some investigation before our next movie night. I'm certain that if I ask Donnie for one, he will provide us with a very specific and detailed tierlist of Halloween-themed media to watch. Truth be told, we may need more than one evening devoted to this holiday.

Much love,
Rue ♥

[This letter was left on some visible surface in Rue's house after the TV was delivered.]

Dear Rue,

Thank you :) If you have any advice on how to decorate a place, I'd really appreciate it. Both me and Hunter are totally new to that kind of thing, turns out. We're just winging it so far. I am working on getting a printer I can connect to my relic and (more importantly) my mask, so I can have real copies of my digitals. That's the decoration I want most right now. I haven't seen a lot of real photos but I really like the idea of getting to hold them and put them up on a wall. If I get it working, I'd be happy to print pictures out for you too, if you'd want.

I was wondering, maybe we could test drive with the Halloween party? It's close to the end of the month anyway. If it's at your house, Hunter can decide if he's uncomfortable to just go whenever he wants. If we hosted a party, there's not really anywhere else TO go. Just a thought. But maybe he'll be fine. I'm not stressed, though! Not very stressed at least. There are some things I'm worried about for him, but I promised I wouldn't say anything, so instead I'll just say that with all you've done for me, I think he could use the same sort of kindness.

I'm not so worried about getting home set-up that I won't visit you, don't fret :) I'll come over soon, no imposition. I'm excited to learn more about Halloween, and to see you of course. We'll talk for real then.

Love,
Casey

[In the margins at the bottom, in a different coloured pen, there's a message scrawled hastily, I hope you like your present <3]

[It takes Rue just a touch longer to figure out what they would like to say. So much has changed between the last letter they received and now and it leaves them paused for a few beats before they finally put pen to paper.]

My darling Casey,

I read this letter and I hardly know how where to begin. So much has changed since you originally wrote it, but I hope you feel the same way that I do, that the changes have been for the better. It is exciting and new and I feel a touch nervous even picking up this pen again, but truly, it is in all the best of ways.

I know I said it many times that day, but thank you again for my gift. Between you and Leo and Donnie, I feel so spoiled as of late. And the sheer size of it! Now I pick up every detail of every show! I can not wait for our aforementioned family movie night. It will be a delightful time to spend all together. I only hope that we can all come to some agreement on what to watch.

A wall of photographs sounds so lovely, Casey. When you are able to set yours up, would you be able to help me with mine? I should like to frame a few photographs of all of us together for my cottage. That is the one thing that I am missing, photos of my friends and family.

If you are asking me to host a Halloween party at my home, then the only answer I will have for you is an astounding yes. I would love to! Especially if it would help ease Hunter into the idea of being around so many people at once, especially some who may not be as familiar as others. I will get started on decorations and catering immediately. Do you think there should be games? I think so. And prizes. Oh, and a costume contest too.

Is there anything I can help with in regards to Hunter? I have spoken to him a few times, but if you feel that he is need of a patented Rue motivational speech, I need at least a little preparation. You know that you need only ask and I would do anything for you. You mean such a great deal to me. Ask and it is yours.

(Within reason.)

Loving you dearly,
Rue ♥

To the best mom ever,

I can't believe I just wrote that :) No argument here, though. Change is usually scarier for me, and I guess it started out that way, but it's hard to remember how that felt now. I feel better than I have in months.

I'm looking forward to our first big movie night. I don't even care what we watch! So much is still new, and most of it is fun. (Though maybe not any period dramas. I don't understand half of what people say in those. Sorry!)

I've started the photo board! I got a printer and with Donnie's help, I was able to get everything connected, and have started printing. It works with the relic, too. Everything was digital in the future, so it's another new thing… it's nice to have copies I can hold, though.

Of course I'll help you with getting your photos! It might take a little time, but if you lend me your phone from the other world, I can get it connected and download those photos, too. (Or I can come over at do it at your place. I wouldn't blame you if you'd rather hold on to it. Just might take some time.) Any photos you want printed out from your relic, you should just be able to send them to me. I'll bring them next time I come over.

Wow, it's really less than a week till Halloween… is that enough time? Can I help with anything? I don't have a costume D: Is there anything I can do? I didn't think time would go by this fast. Feels like I blinked and it's been 3 months already.

About Hunter, I think if you just treat him like you treat anybody else, he'll be okay. We're both figuring out what 'normal' is, but you helped me so much just by talking to me, letting me ask questions and being kind. Any advice I could give would just be telling you to do something you're already good at. :) Though if you could help us BOTH get costumes for Halloween, I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

Love,
Casey

[Included are two printed photos; one is the selfie he and Rue had taken at the beauty salon in Tides, and one is a photo of future Leo and Donatello together, looking... well, very tired, but happy about something unknown. A much younger Casey is perched on Leo's shoulders- though it's more like he's sprawled, because he looks as if he fell asleep up there. There's a message written on the back:

this one is a secret, just for us. but I thought you might like to have it. I know they'd have loved you, too.]

[Let it be known that Rue reads that intro and immediately sets the letter down to just cry a few happy tears. They never knew such a title could mean so much to them, but here they are!]

To the best son ever in return,

I can not tell you how happy it makes me to know you feel so well, not just regarding you and I, but in general as well. You deserve all of the joy in the world and it makes me endlessly proud to watch you take strides to achieve that daily.

Nevermind then! I take it all back! I can not be friends with someone who does not enjoy period dramas!

(I am kidding, of course. :) We do not need to watch them together. I can on my own.)

Thank you! I do not mind giving you my old phone for a time. I have gone this long without these pictures before they were returned to me, another few days would be nothing. That sounds perfect. I will have to look through current photographs on my relic and send them directly to you. Perhaps along with your photo board, we should start a photo album of our family. That way we could include other things of importance in there as well, written notes and dried flowers and such. It could be quite special.

A few days away and no costume for either you or Hunter? Never fear, dearest, I will be over shortly then so we can plan something for you both. Otherwise, if you should like to bring snacks or help me cut out paper bats for decoration, I'd be grateful for your help. The finishing touches can all be completed the morning of, if you want to help me in the set up too.

And for what it is worth, thank you. I will do what I can to treat Hunter the same way that I have treated you. That should not be a problem in slightest. I am already very fond of him.

I shall see you shortly!
Rue ♡

[And then after that letter is finished, in a different color ink, Rue continues before they actually send this one out.]

An addendum, because it has been on my mind and I must tell someone. May I confess something to you, Casey?

I have asked Leo and Peter if they would like to be formally adopted by me as well and I am very nervous over them saying no. It would change nothing, of course, I love them so dearly, but I have just been fretting over it since.

Do you think that they might be hurt that I have asked? That they may think I am trying to replace the families they already have?

I do not mean to unload on you, but who could understand more than you? And I trust your opinion and your heart so completely.

I love you dearly. ♡

Dear Mom :) :) :)

I hope you're happy, too. You deserve it just as much if not more. I know you haven't gotten the answers you're hoping for, but when it was me, your patience and understanding made a huge difference. I'm sure they appreciate you not pressuring them the same way I did. And until (unless) you get an answer I'll do what I can to fill the void. I won't even brag about being the best son :P

I'm sending your phone back! Thank you for trusting me with it. I copied the photo directory to my computer, so I can print and send them over time. It's taking a surprisingly long time to go through it all! (Not yours, but both of ours combined) I've never done this before so I had no idea it was such a process. It'll be worth it when we have the ones we want in our hands, though.

I love the idea of a photo album. Back home there were many people whose photo books were their most cherished possession. On memorial days a lot of us would gather around and look through them, sharing stories about who they were and what their lives were like. Or sometimes we didn't know who they were, so we could only guess; the people who owned them had died, but we wanted to remember their families for them, if that makes sense. I think I'd like to have a book where I know all the stories.

Speaking of memories (sort of), I have a question. In your world is there a spell or potion that can let someone dive into the mind of another? At the Halloween party, Hunter mentioned his world had a potion that could do that, and I know back home there's a memory spell that can do the same thing. There's no purpose for the question or anything, I'm just amazed at how many similarities there are between worlds, even with how different they can be. (And you know I love to hear about magic.)

I'm starting school at the start of next week. First time ever! I'm really nervous, but I think it'll be okay. I hope so, anyway. I'm glad Hunter's going to be there. I definitely didn't want to go alone. Do you know anything about school? Anyway, wish me luck!

Love you,
Casey

[Included is a small package with Rue's cell phone, and a few randomly printed images (dealer's choice) from its photo collection.]

[And attached to this is exactly what they've discussed, a brand new photo album with a space to write Casey's name on inside cover. Rue's already included a few of their favorite shots of the family, most with Casey included, as well as a letter or two from their correspondence - the very tame, less dramatic ones - if he should like to include them too, and a dried flower from Rue's garden.]

My darling Casey,

I can not understate how deeply happy you have made me. It's true, I am still aflutter with nerves, but the reality is that the matter is completely out of my paws. If neither Leo nor Peter wish to discuss it further, the only thing I can do is continue to give them their space. And, if it does not exasperate them too much, remind them of how much they are loved and that I always am willing to talk more on it, anytime. Always.

Thank you, Casey. You have already been such a great support to me all through our friendship and beyond. Maybe what began as a writing exercise truly helped the both of us to learn to speak with one another honestly and openly, without the pretense of navigating a new friendship. I am forever grateful we began writing to one another and that we continue on now with it still.

Is it silly to say that it feels as if everything has changed and nothing has all at the same time? You are still the same caring, joyous, warm-hearted friend I have always known, but now when I think that you are my son too? I feel very foolish for how happy it makes me. But it does make me very happy. :)

Thank you again for these beautiful pictures! I am going to frame and place them all over my cottage, so that when my friends come over, I can point out my lovely family to them.

Yes, most potions do not dig deep enough into the mind, but there are some spells that do go much further, though it is a part of magic that would be considered taboo to be used without explicit permission. I had a very good time talking the differences between the Demon Realm and the Feywild with Hunter. If he ever wanted to talk more about magic - and you wanted to enjoy the conversation - you know that I would be happy to indulge.

My darling, you are going to do amazing in school. Text me every day to tell me if you've learned anything. And if you would like any special clothing made for school, I would be happy to get you whatever you need. A nice jacket and pair of slacks, perhaps? Something in the school colors? Whatever you like, you only need to ask. I have never had an experience in school myself, but I have seen them many times on television! I wonder if the depiction is very faithful. I want to hear all about it!

Sending all of the love,
Rue ♡

Dear Mom,

Thank you for the winter clothes! They're so soft and warm! I can barely feel the cold at all. I'm already putting them to good use. And thank you for the photo book! I'm going to fill it up fast with whatever I don't hang on my photo board. Speaking of, it's looking great so far. It's really nice to see it on my wall, especially when everything used to be so bare.

For the record, I don't think any of what you said is silly or foolish or anything like that. It IS different, even if nothing that technical has changed. I feel it too! Some days I wake up worried that it's all some crazy dream and I'll actually wake up back on Earth again. Having this new connection reminds me that it's real. So, thank you. Again. A million times!

I'll be sure to pass along the message to Hunter. And maybe encourage him a little more than usual to take you up on it. I would love very much to lurk in on any magic theory conversations you would be willing to share with me :) :) :) And if you ever need a test subject for spell demonstrations maybe, just maybe, I would be pretty OK with "helping". (Just not any mind-diving ones, though I don't think either of you are interested in trying that anyway. Them being taboo makes sense. The Krang could force themselves into the minds of people they captured and it was incredibly painful for them. But that's not magic, just... whatever else they were. The potions you made for the Halloween party were still weird but much softer.)

I've already texted you, like you asked, but of course I'll say it again- school is strange so far! Any lessons I got growing up were informal, whatever I could get when people were available, or sometimes self-taught lessons between a few of us kids. This is a lot more organized, and having a schedule for it makes sense. The class is small so it's not too intimidating to go. We can follow up on lessons, and I have homework now. I don't mind it, though. Some of it I already know thanks to Uncle Tello, and some is still new. It's amazing. I think I do like it. There's no uniform requirement or anything, but if you are looking for ideas, the school colours are grey and pink, and there's a mascot(??) of a wolf named Togo.

Love you!
-Casey

[Included is another set of randomly selected photos. At the very bottom of the set is a new one: Casey, in the snowy area of the school of Thoth, cheeks pink from the cold (and a little from embarrassment) as he holds out one hand as if carrying the school in the background. Under his coat he's wearing the new sweater, with the scarf and mittens, of course.]

Aug 26

Aug 28th

Aug 31 (gasp i am LATE)

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Sept 13th, pre-trial

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